CSU presents plan for 21st century

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 30, 1998

As the California State University system prepares to enter the 21st century, Cornerstones, a plan which articulates the values, priorities, commitments and expectations of the system will be a guiding force.

The systemwide planning process began in May 1996 in response to the projected demand for university education in California.

Cornerstones focuses on issues of systemwide concern including program quality, access, student preparation and faculty support.

The plan has four specific policy goals: educational results, access to higher education, financial stability, and university accountability.

Cornerstones was designed to complement and support strategic planning initiatives that are already in place on several campuses. It seeks to provide a framework for defining the needs of the university and accounting for its contributions to the public.

"Some campuses are further along in their goals than others," Ken Swisher of the Chancellor's Office said.

Swisher said he believes that changes in educational results, such as assessment by learning rather than credits earned, and university accountability, which encompasses such things as performance pay and increased productivity, will be most visible.

Many view the collaborative effort of Cornerstones, with input from faculty, administrators, trustees and students, as the hallmark of the entire program.

It is expected to take several years to implement.